How to Protect Furniture in Storage

When you need to protect furniture in storage, it’s not just about tossing it into a unit and hoping for the best. A wooden dining table, a fabric sofa, or even a metal frame can suffer from humidity, pests, or scratches if not handled right. furniture storage, the practice of safely keeping household items out of daily use for weeks or months. Also known as long-term furniture care, it’s a skill that saves money and keeps your pieces looking new. Many people assume their couch will be fine in a garage or attic—until they open the door to find mold, cracks, or worse, bugs.

One of the biggest threats to stored furniture is storage containers, enclosures used to hold belongings during moves or seasonal changes. Also known as moving boxes or climate-controlled units, they vary wildly in quality. Plastic bins with tight seals keep out moisture better than cardboard, which can absorb dampness and warp wood. If you’re storing a bamboo dresser or tiger-patterned armchair from Bamboo Tiger, you don’t want it sitting next to a leaky pipe or a dusty corner where pest control, methods to prevent insects and rodents from damaging household goods. Also known as bug prevention or vermin exclusion, it’s often overlooked until it’s too late. Beetles, termites, and even silverfish love dark, quiet spaces—and they’ll eat your furniture if they get the chance. A simple silica gel pack or cedar block can make a huge difference.

Climate matters more than you think. High heat can crack leather and warp bamboo. Cold and damp can cause metal parts to rust and fabric to mildew. The best spots for storing furniture are dry, cool, and stable—like a climate-controlled unit, not a shed or basement. Always raise furniture off the floor with pallets or blocks. Never wrap it in plastic; it traps moisture. Use breathable cotton covers instead. And if you’ve got a TV stand, bookshelf, or sofa bed tucked away, check on it every few months. A quick wipe-down or repositioning can stop small problems from becoming expensive repairs.

People think protecting furniture in storage is complicated, but it’s mostly about common sense. Know what you’re storing, know your space, and take simple steps to shield it. You don’t need fancy gear—just the right materials and a little attention. Below, you’ll find real advice from people who’ve been there: how to keep bugs out of containers, what to do with a couch before moving it, and why some storage spots are worse than others. These aren’t theories—they’re fixes that actually work.